Why should you watch what you're drinking?
How drinking less can make you healthier
Reducing the amount of alcohol we drink can make a huge difference to our health. Drinking less can improve your liver health and help to lower blood pressure, as well as preventing serious alcohol-related problems such as cancers and liver disease. Also – if you’re wanting to lose weight, cutting down on alcohol can also cut down on your calories!
Top Tips to get you started
If you’re looking to reduce your alcohol intake, here are some HLS Cov tips to help you get started on your journey!
• Is drinking alcohol hindering my weight loss?
Quite possibly. Calories in alcohol can add up very quickly without providing a feeling of fullness. Alcohol also affects the decision-making part of the brain which influences food choices – those high in unhealthy fats and sugars are often tempting after a long night out! In addition, the body stores more fat after drinking, meaning your late-night snacks might be hurting your healthy diet more than you think!
• What is a safe amount of alcohol to drink for the average person?
It is recommended that we have no more than 14 units a week on a regular basis (6 pints of beer, or 4 250ml glasses of wine). You should try to spread drinking over a few days if you regularly drink as much as the recommended units. Consuming alcohol with food helps with slow absorption and makes it easier for your liver to process it.
• How do I realistically reduce my alcohol intake?
Plan your alcohol intake ahead of time.. You can plan ahead for the days you know you will probably have a drink and use this to ‘budget’ your units.
Prepare yourself to meet mental resistance to the planWhen meeting friends for a social occasion make sure you can recount your reasons for cutting down and saying no to that drink in the moment. You could even write yourself a list of reasons you’re cutting down – maybe you want to save money, lose weight or improve your health.
Remember: reducing alcohol does not have to be boring! It is possible to find new and brilliant ways to generate satisfying feelings of relief, pleasure, enjoyment and relaxation.
• I can do this!
We can support you to make the change, with our expert coaches providing 1-2-1 support to help you set and reach your goals, feeling healthier and happier with your new habits!
If you’d like extra help to make a lifestyle change from the comfort of your own home and for FREE, we can help. Simply click here to sign-up or call us directly on freephone 0800 122 3780.
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